Geranium plant named `Sanlilac`

ABSTRACT

A new ivy-leaved geranium particularly distinguished by its well-branched shape and compact growth, early appearing lilac single flowers which do not set seed with good precocity and floral richness.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new distinct cultivar of ivy-leavedgeranium, botanically known as Pelargonium peltatum hybrid. The newcultivar is propagated from cuttings resulting from the cross of I356and M167. I356 is a lilac flowering peltatum having no pollen. I356 isnot commercially available and is not known by any synonyms. M167 isalso a lilac colored peltatum, with vigorous growth and having pollen.M167 is not commercially available and is not known by any synonyms.Neither I356 or M167 have been patented. As a result of this cross thepresent cultivar was created in 1991 in Enkhuizen, Netherlands and hasbeen repeatedly asexually reproduced by cuttings in Enkhuizen,Netherlands and Stuttgart, Germany over a three year period. It has beenfound to retain its distinctive characteristics through successivepropagations, and this novelty appears to be firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This new geranium plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographicdrawing which shows blooms, buds and foliage of the plant in full color,the color shown being as true as can be reasonably obtained byconventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of this new geranium. The data which defines thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inEnkhuizen, Netherlands. The plant history was taken on 12 week oldplants, blossomed under natural light in a greenhouse. Color readingswere taken in the greenhouse under ambient light. Color references areprimarily to the RHS Color Chart of the Royal Horticultural Society ofLondon.

The Plant

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium peltatum--Hybrid.

Commericial.--Ivy-leaved geranium.

Parentage:

Female parent.--A seedling named I356 is one of our seedlings from ourI-generation of plants bred in 1984.

Pollen parent.--A seedling named M167 is one of our seedlings fromM-generation of plants bred in 1988.

Form: Very compact, hanging.

Shape: Round.

Stalk length: About 160-210 mm in April and 420-510 mm in September.

Number of stems per stalk: Approximately 6-8 from May until the end ofSeptember.

Number of stalks per plant: Approximately 9-11 in October.

Internode length: About 42-78 mm depending on the light where the plantis propagated.

Growth rate: Hanging and vigorous.

Strength: Very good.

Branching character: Very good branching.

Foliage:

Quantity.--Many robust leaves.

Size.--Small, from 48-64 mm.

Shape.--5 lobed, peltate.

Texture.--Hairy at young leaf stage (1 cm long), becoming smoother withincreased maturity.

Zonation.--Almost circular, diameter 2 mm, brown.

Ribs and veins: 7 Ribs.

Color:

Upper side.--Medium green 141A.

Lower side.--Light green 137C.

Length of leaf stem: 25-55 mm.

The Bud

Peduncle length: 90-125 mm, depending on the season.

Size:

Diameter.--3 mm.

Length.--11 mm.

Shape: Elliptical.

Form: Ovoid and pointed.

Rate of opening: Medium.

Color:

When sepals first divide.--137C.

When petals begin to unfurl.--138A.

Sepals:

Color.--Inside -- 138B. Outside -- 138A.

Form.--Standing up.

Pedicel:

Length.--About 20-26 mm.

Strength.--Very strong, the florets are arranged asymmetric around themiddle of the cluster. The florets are approximately 38 mm in diameter.

Color.--Red purple 183A.

Blooming habit: Continuous and profusely from April until October.

Size: Approximately 70-80 mm.

Borne: In a cluster having between 4-6 flowers per cluster.

Form: Horizontal symmetric, quite open. When the flowers mature, thepetals curl back.

Petals:

Numbers.--5 per floret, between 110-130 clusters in one season perplant.

Arrangement.--2 upper petals, longer and broader. 3 lower petals,smaller.

Form.--Upper obcordate.

Color.--Outer petal --77D, very light red purple. Inside petal -- 76C.

Markings.--See pattern.

Reverse side.--Pink 69A with red purple nerves colour 59C.

Pattem.'The upper two petals have two long red purple margins (colour59C) which fade into the veins. Between the end of the two lines thereis a small red purple blotch. The reverse side has the same stripes, butlighter in colour. The lower petals have darker colored veins. The outerparts of the petals are pink colored (59D).

Texture: Smooth.

Appearance: Satiny.

Petals remain on stem about 5-7 days depending on the weather.

Persistence: Petals drop, so no picking of matured clusters.

Disease resistance: Sanlilac does not suffer from Botrytis.

Weather resistance: Sanililac is not unusually affected by wet or hotweather.

Lasting quality:

On the living plant in pot.--About 10-14 days.

As a cut flower.--About 5 days.

Frgrance: No perceptible fragrance.

Reproductive Organs

Stamens:

Anthers.--Totally shriveled, and yellow in color.

Filaments.--Usually 7, about 1 mm in length, and white in color.

Pollen: None.

Pistils:

Number.--One.

Length.--Approximately 5 mm.

Sigmas.--Pink in color, divided in 5 papillae.

Ovaries: Green in color.

Seed: Non fertile.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of ivy-leavedgeranium plant substantially as herein shown and described, particularlydistinguished by its very short internodes and well branched plant, andits early appearing lilac single flowers which do not set seed.